Lighting Science Group Recalls 554,000 LED Bulbs

Consumers and retailers should immediately remove the bulbs, which are a possible fire hazard.

On March 19, Lighting Science Group[1] recalled about 554,000 LED light bulbs due to overheating that is a potential fire hazard.

The 120V LED bulbs, sold as 6W, 8W and 9W bulbs (equivalent to 40 or 50 watts), were marketed under the brand names Definity, EcoSmart, Sylvania and Westinghouse. The model numbers A19, G25 and R20/PAR20 are found on the packaging and on the light-colored circular neck above the base of the bulb where the date code is also printed. The date code reflects the week and year of manufacture; for example, date code L4010 was produced during the 40th week of 2010. The date codes listed may have the letters "CH " or "MX " at the end. For example, date code L4010 can also appear as L4010CH or L4010MX. The date codes are:

According to company spokesman John O’Hara of Eric Mower + Assoc., the issue, which has been corrected, relates to the product’s power supply subassemblies and only affected a “small batch” of lamps produced two to three years ago.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission release[2] states that Lighting Science Group is aware of 68 incidents of product failures, eight of which were accompanied by visible smoke or fire conditions. The incidents include damage to light sockets, melted fixtures, burned rugs/carpet/ floors, damage to a circuit and to a lamp. There have been no reports of personal injuries.

“The corrective actions were implemented by Lighting Science Group in March of 2011, which put an end to the manufacture of products exhibiting these failures,” O’Hara says. “There will be no cost to consumers to replace the lamp.”

Consumers should immediately remove the bulbs from sockets and lamps and contact Light Science Group for replacement bulbs toll free at 855.574.2533 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

The recalled bulbs, which were mostly manufactured in China, were sold at various retailers including hardware and lighting and electrical supply stores.